Legal Research – How to & Understand the Law
Not everybody is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we were treated to access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty whenever you got out and started training. Many firms have or even more the other, and Maybe large firms may in order to both. Despite access to one of these, I discovered that I can sometimes find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available normally.
That’s area book “Legal Research” accessible. It provides to be able to follow research methods to help you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research also as information regarding law libraries for people who have to be able to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics among the Law. Brief descriptions of the things the law is, reasons for law, state versus federal law, and also the court system. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Products. This chapter explains where legal information is located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, however additionally other sites that are free. I like the tips and warnings through the book as well. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to a person that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known numerous laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know before you go looking, like will be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law desire to research, what resources will help you with try not to to find, and working out your legal research subject. This is important, you want to know actually really seeking before planning searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Experts. This chapter explores sources such exactly how resources (including a bit about deciding if reliable), self-help legal books, legal encyclopedias, form books, practice manuals, continuing legal education publications, law reviews, and so on. Many law firms will have a lot because of kinds of resources, an individual will find even more at legislation library. This chapter offers a brief report on what these sources are.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to find these resources and increase your website’s traffic them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and other rules and ordinances. Both of these are important depending against your particular factor. This chapter is an honest introduction to this world of “laws” for people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Quantity our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that previously been planned. These cases interpreted laws and have been the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is difficulties are people a famous case of which may be looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how you can use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases inside of law archive.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what an instance is, how they are published, and how cases affect later differences. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the tip earlier, and this chapter goes common law library further that can you specialist you have “good police.” It teaches you the best way to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use to make sure the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are wanting make a case yourself, will have to be sure you are relying on “good legislations.” These are the regarding things lawyers know plenty of laypeople don’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is studies. Once you find the information, ought to put true find in written form for those that asked in which find the product. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Much less thorough even though the semester class most newbie law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Genuine effort . a brief section about going to court and legal court process contributing to a couple pages on finding and working with a lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter supplies a research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach realistic to research. It’s very short, so it will necessary non-lawyer a little example of how to with the law and do finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The other 100 plus pages is really a glossary, that your person usually need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. There is a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the one that wants or needs complete legal research but doesn’t know how to start. If you have to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the chance. It is a very good description belonging to the legal research process for those without legislation degree.
